'Sargeant favourite for F1 debut, but not the best choice'

It was an important and interesting exhibition for the junior and reserve drivers who were allowed to fill in during free practice one of the United States Grand Prix. Although Logan Sargeant has the best papers for an F1 debut, Dutch F1 expert and F1 reporter Olav Mol sees a driver showing more potential.

The fight for the last two F1 seats

As many as five drivers got the chance to show what they can do in an F1 car in the US. With two seats still free on the grid at Williams and at Haas, such sessions in an F1 car are crucial moments for juniors to show what they can do with it. Since Formula 1 is considered the king class of motorsport and many of the juniors and reserve drivers participate in the step-up class, Formula 2, an F1 seat is coveted by all.

Currently, of the five drivers who were in action in America on Friday, Logan Sargeant seems to have the best papers to step in at Williams next year. Williams team boss Jost Capito even hinted at a confirmation of the young American that would take place this weekend. Although Sargeant practically already holds a super licence and seems to have the most claim to an F1 seat, he is not necessarily the best man for that post, according to F1 reporter Mol.

'Sargeant not the best choice'

Speaking at the Dutch Ziggo Racecafé, he says: "From everything I've seen, and I really feel that way, Alex Palou has the most potential of those guys. Sargeant ultimately has the best seat to be the first to get in there. He is less dependent on that super licence story." Sargeant is on the right course to get his super licence. It is difficult for drivers like Palou to get that licence because the distribution of points is uneven across race classes.

Palou driving in IndyCar and becoming a champion earned relatively few licence points during his career. That does not mean he is less able to drive or less talented than F2 drivers. Mol: "He [Sargeant] literally has the best papers to enter F1 the fastest. I think the one with the most potential is Palou."